Soccer officials decided to seek official recognition

The third season of the Mid-Meath League brought a number of significant changes with efforts made to seek affiliation to the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) and the Leinster Football Association (LFA). That strategy heralded the first official annual general meeting which took place on 17th September 1982. It was a unique sort of meeting as it was the first and last gathering of the Mid-Meath League, which operated under the direction of the Kilmessan club. Officers elected at that historic gathering were: chairman - Gerry Gorman; secretary John Holden; treasurer - David Pryle; committee members - Donal Gaynor, Gerry Moore, Tom Keague, Bobby Mullen. To gain national recognition, it was agreed that for the following season, a name change (to the Meath & District League) and the ratification of a constitution would be sanctioned. The LFA secretary at the time, the late George Briggs, provided guidance for the rookie Royal legislators, Gerry Gorman and the late John Holden. The third season kicked-off on 27th October 1982 with 27 teams in two divisions playing on a one round basis. With affiliation came the bonus of official referees which greatly improved the standard in comparison to the first two seasons. There was also a plan to review the structures for the following season when games would be played on a home and away basis. Moynalvey won the Div 1 title and the Challenge Cup. The 1983/'84 season saw an annual meeting held at Claremont Stadium, Navan and 39 teams competing in four divisions. Moynalvey won the title from Navan side OMP Utd while Brewery won the Challenge Cup which earned the manager-of-the-year award for Ben McLarney. The MDL also competed in the FAI Oscar Traynor Trophy for the first time when they hosted the Leinster Junior League at Tully Park, Trim. The MDL panel that day was: John Gorman; Shea Englishby, John Cahill, Tommy Ennis, Robbie Melia, Kieran O'Brien, Aidan Gorman, Pat O'Brien, Christy Duignan, Aidan Crickley, Johnny Kiernan, Richie Fox, Davy Cahill, Brendan Melia, Mick Curley, John Summerville. A decision was also made to produce a yearbook following a proposal from Gerry Moore. That trend was maintained for the next 20 years until 2005. Fundraising was a major topic of discussion at committee level during the 1984/'85 season and the weekly forecast cards were introduced with widespread support from clubs who were guaranteed 50 per cent commission without any liability for prizes. The promotion lasted for 17 years and was eventually discontinued at the end of the 1999/2000 season. The regular collectors each week included Gerry Gorman, Eugene Lynch, Conall Collier, Donal Giles, John Gorman, Gerry Moore, Donal Gaynor, John Holden, Paddy Bartley and Brian Conway. The forecast was based on the top 11 games in England and Scotland and coupons were priced at one punt (the currency at the time) with a weekly prize of 100 punts for the highest points and a jackpot for an all-correct forecast. The funds raised through the promotion enabled the MDL to purchase the property outside Navan in 1988. Moynalvey's reign as league kings was ended in 1985 when OMP Utd took over the mantle as kingpins of Div 1, it was the first of three successive crowns. Moynalvey were not to be out-done by the Navan side and won the Challenge Cup, the first of three successive title. To make the cup win a little sweeter, they defeated OMP Utd in the 1984/'85 decider. * Next week we will continue our look at how the MDL developed from humble beginnings and we will concentrate on the period from 1985 to 1990.